Semi-automatic shank taping machine



SEMI-AUTOMATIC SHANK TAPING MACHINE Filed March 1, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR. HAROLD R. SHURTLEFF Nov. 7, 1967 H. R. SHURTLEFF SEMIAUTOMATIC SHANK TAPING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 1, 1965 'INVENTOR.

HAROLD SHURTLEFF BY A ORNE).

Nov. 7, 1967 SHURTLEFF SEMIAUTOMATIC SHANK TAPING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 1, 1965 l N VENTOR. HAROLD R. SHURTLEFF ATTORNEY.

NW. 7,, WW SMURTLEFF j SEMI-AUTOMATIC SHANK TAPING MACHINE Filed March 1, 1965 4 Shaets-$heet HAROLD R. SHURTLEFF United States Patent Ofiice 3,35,732 Patented. Nov. 7, 1967 3,350,732 SEMI-AUTOMATIC SHANK TAPING MACHINE Harold R. Shurtlefi, 67 Canal Road, Sagaznore, Mass. 02561 Filed Mar. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 436,237 15 Claims. (ill. 12-4th5) ABSTRACT OF THE DESCLOSURE This invention relates to a semi-automatic machine for wrapping selected portions of irregular objects with tape or the like. In particular, it relates to such a machine for use in wrapping the ends of shoe shanks with tape. This invention further relates to an improved tape feeding and cutting mechanism and to an improved means for feeding and gripping irregular objects so that work operations can be performed on them.

A shoe shank is generally a bent and curved steel strip having one notched or forked end for attachment to the heel and the other solid end for placement in the mid portion of a shoe. The solid end is usually bent laterally and is transversely curved. However, it is often required that the solid end of the shank be covered with cloth, tape or similar material to prevent sliding and squeaking. Because of the intricacy of the taping operation and the irregular shape and the variety of sizes of shoe shanks, shank taping has hitherto been done by hand.

One object of this invention is to provide a semiautomatic machine which can rapidly cover the solid ends of shoe shanks or similar objects with cloth, tape or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel means of feeding and cutting pieces of strip material such as adhesive tape or the like.

Yet, another object of this invention is to provide a novel means forfeeding and positioning irregular shaped objects to permit work operations thereon.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent fromthe accompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of this invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a general assembly view shown in elevation.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the tape feeding and cutting portion generally designated by the numeral 11.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view with partial cutaway of the shank feeding and positioning portion, generally designatedby the numeral 12.

FIG. 3a is an elevation with partial section of the middle upper portion of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of the machine illus trated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the tape wrapping portion of the machine.

FIG. 6 is a partially schematic view illustrating the interrelation of the tape pressing and sealing members.

FIG. 7 is a partial elevation illustrating the portions of the machine on which the shank rests during application and sealing of the strip of tape.

The invention comprises generally means for unwinding and cutting a strip from a roll of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, pressing one end of said strip against the solid shank end, applying the tape strip fully against the wide surface of shank, and then folding and pressing the sides of the strip against the opposite wide surface of the shank. The tape feeding and cutting mechanism comprises generally an upper actuating finger engageable with the exposed, adhesive surface of the tape supported on a flat bed, the finger being moveable laterally in its forward stroke and moveable up and laterally in its rearward stroke. Cutting is accomplished by an electrically heated Wire whose transverse vertical action is synchronized. A steel shoe shank, stored in a moveable funnel so that its solid end protrudes, is moved so as to engage the leading edge of the tape strip before it is cut. After cutting, the funnel moves back so as to place the edge joined shank and tape strip above a pair of moving rollers, at least one of which has a resilient surface. Pressure by the operator on the top of the shank causes the rollers to engage and move downward the assembly of shank and tape strip, simultaneously pressing the length of strip against the long surface of the shank, with overhang on each side. The motion is stopped by engagement of the bottom shank end with a notch in a bottom support and actuating mem ber. Contact with the support member \actuates in succession folding by a resilient block for one side, folding by a resilient block on the second side, additional pressure on the second block and then ejection.

Having reference now to the drawings, the general assembly view of FIG. 1 shows the machine 10 supported on frame 9 which includes a vertical mounting plate 9a having a large cut out area 922. The portion of the machine which controls the feeding of the tape and cutting of the tape is shown at the top of FIG. 1 where it is designated generally by numeral 11. It is further shown in greater detail in isometric view FIG. 2.

The portion of the machine which grips and feeds the metal shank pieces is shown in the middle section of FIG. 1 and is generally designated by numeral 12. Further detail on this portion of the machine can be found in the isometric view FIG. 3 and the top view FIG. 4.

The portion of the machine wherein the pieces of tape are wrapped and sealed on to the shanks is shown generally in the lower portion of FIG. 1 by numeral 13. Further detail of this portion of the machine is shown in the isometric view of FIG. 5.

The progress of the shank in the taping operation can be followed by reference to the drawings and following description, wherein 40 designates a shank in its initial position, 41 a shank in intermediate position, and 42 an ejected, taped shank.

As shown in FIG. 2, tape reel 15]) has its tape 15 fed in a predetermined cycle to an electrically heated wire 20 Whose transverse action cuts the tape into pieces generally designated as 15a. The feeding and cutting unit 11 is mounted on a vertical plate 37. The supporting frame comprises two end blocks 37a and 37b which are attached to the vertical plate 37. Between blocks 37a and 37b are upper and lower rods 30 and 31. L-shaped brackets 29 and 32 are mounted by means of ball bushings 30a, 30b, 31a and 311: on the rods 30 and 31. Mounted on the top surface of brackets 29' and 32 is tape supporting platform 17 on which is pivotally mounted by pin 23 tape leading member 16 whose forward end is adapted to rest on the tape.

The relative motion of the moveable components of this tape feed and cutting assembly 11 is effected by means of air cylinder 19 with its associated piston 24; air cylinder 22; and air cylinder 34 with its associated piston 33.

The longitudinal motion of the bracket supported tape platform 17 is accomplished by the piston 33 of air cylinder 34. The motion is controlled, as indicated below, so that the platform 17 moves a distance equal to the desired length of the tape to be cut, as for example, 2% inches. Piston 24 of air cylinder 19 is adapted to pivot tape lead ing member 16 so as to lift its contact portion away from the tape. Air cylinder 22 has its piston (not visible) connected to support member 21:: which by means of connectors 21 and 21c supports hot wire 20, which is kept taut by means of spring 21b.

As will be indicated generally below, the control of the cycle of action of the air cylinders illustrated in the J drawings, is by means of electrical switches, such as limit switches.

Shanks enter the apparatus through a funnel 50 which contains a spring leaf 51, and has a wide top opening and a relatively small bottom opening. The shank 41 is placed in the funnel 50 with its forked end up and its solid end down so that a portion of the solid end protrudes from the bottom of the funnel. It should be noted that in this particular embodiment, an operator places the shanks 41 individually into the funnel 50 and also assists in the beginning of the gripping step by applying slight pressure on to the top of the shank 41. Generally, a warning, such as a flashing light, indicates when the operator should do the two usually consecutive manual operations, namely, pressing one shank down for engagement with the rollers after the piece of tape has been placed in contact with its free end and then inserting another shank.

The funnel 50 has attached to its back plate by welding a block 50a which slides in a track 65a in support plate 65 extending across this portion of the device between the mounts 62 which supports the shaft 60a of a splined, constantly driven metal roller 60. Roller 60 is of relatively narrow width as compared with an adjacent idler roller 61 whose shaft 610 is supported by blocks '71 which in turn are covered by a rubber covered anvil 54. Blocks 62 are slidably supported on side rails 71 and 72, Whose ledges 71a and 72a support base plate 73 on which air cylinder 75 is mounted.

Block 9"] which supports funnel 50 is connected by lower extension spring 96 and upper compression spring 97a to arm 95a mounted on shaft 82a. Shaft 82a is mounted on end brackets 79 and 80 and is provided with two arms 81 and 82, which are depressed when pins (not shown) on the tape feeding carriage engage them at the end of forward stroke of the carriage.

Air cylinder 75 has a piston rod 76 terminating in a hollow cylinder in whose opposite end is slidable the shaft of shank push block 53. Actuation of the cylinder 75 causes pressure on block 53 through spring 78. This pushes block 53 against the tip of the shank, which in turn traps the tape against the rubber covered anvil 54.

When the shank is captured by the drive rolls 60 and 61, its downward motion causes pressure on a notched support member 141 which acts as an operating finger and signals the cycling of the wiping operations. Member 141 first actuates switch 300 which in turn causes air cylinders 90 and 104 to operate. Air cylinder 90 which is located on the reverse side of support plate 73, has a piston rod 91 terminating in a bracket 92 supporting a forked piece 93 having a right hand portion 94 and a left hand portion 95. Motion of the piston causes the forked piece 93 to move forward and stabilize the shank above the area that is being wrapped with tape. This forked piece rides on member 62.

Air cylinder 104, which is simultaneously actuated with air cylinder 90, pushes a resilient, sponge-rubber block 101 that serves to wrap tape around the left side of the shank piece. A bracket 102 serves to support the block 101 and also an arm 102a which actuates switch 302. After the piston of air cylinder 104 has come forward so as to push the block or shoe 101 over the left hand side of the tape, it actuates switch 301. This causes air cylinder 104 to return block 101, the projection 102a tripping switch 302. This actuates simultaneously air cylinders 22, 34, 126 and 204. Air cylinder 22 moves the hot Wire to cut the tape, air cylinder 34 moves the tape supporting platform, and air cylinder 204 causes the resilient spongerubber block member 201 to wrap the tape around the right half of the shank. Air cylinder 126 is also actuated to cause solid metal member 121 to press on block 201.

Air cylinder 126 is connected by a side frame 123 to the bracket 122 which supports the solid metal member 121. The guide brace 127 prevents rotation of members 121, 122 and 123 and slides on the top flat portion 126a Cir 4 of the housing for air cylinder 126. Adjustment bolts 122a permit adjustment of the solid metal wiper 121 to various shapes of different shanks. The bracket 122 which holds the solid metal member 121 has a pivot 124 for attaching to the side frame 123, which has slots 128 with adjustment bolts 129.

Air cylinder 204 serves to cause the flexible wiper 201 to wrap the tape around the right half of the shank while at the same time air cylinder 126 pushes the solid wiper 121 against 201. It should be noted that these two operations take place after cylinder 104 has caused shoe 101 to wrap around the left hand side and has returned 101 to initial position. The right wrapping unit 200 comprises generally the flexible wiper 201 supported by a bracket 202 to which is attached the piston rod 203 operated by air cylinder 204. The cylinder 204 is supported by a base plate 205 having an adjustment plate 206 with slots 207 and adjustment bolts 208 as well as side to side adjustment slot 209 with adjustment bolts 210'. There is also a pivot bolt 211 for plate 205. [Left wrapping unit is of similar construction] There is a lower support assembly which includes a slotted rectangular tube having a spring 146 and an upright support 147 for the shank support member which is slidable by means of slot 153 on pin 143 mounted on bracket 149.

An air cylinder 151 having a piston rod serves to move bracket 149 and cause the ejection of the shank from 141. The pivot or fulcrum is shown as numeral 152, the lateral motion of the piston rod 150 serving to disengage the notched surface 142 with its front and rear slanting surfaces 143 and 144 from the bottom of the shank after the wrapping and sealing has taken place.

The projection 149a from bracket member 149 serves to actuate switch 305 which returns the ejector piston 150 into ejector air cylinder 151.

The air cylinders 22, 34, 126 and 204 are caused to substantially simultaneously retract by means of switch 303 which is actuated by arm 127a mounted on brace 126.

When air cylinder 22, which controls the hot tape cutting wire, retracts it actuates switch 304 causing forward motion of air cylinders 90 and 151. Air cylinder 90 is arranged to cause the motion of the forked piece 93 after cutting of the tape while at the same time air cylinder 151 ejects the shank from 141. Switch 304 actuated by the motion of the piston and air cylinder 22 hits arm 21a, thus causing the forked piece 93 to be returned and also causing cylinder 151 to fire.

The general action of the operating finger 141 is to reciprocate with spring 146 inside sleeve 145. When the operating finger 141 is in its top position held by compression spring 146, it is pressed down by the nose or tip of the shank driven by the splined roll 60 and hard durometer rubber roll 61 so as to operate the limit switch 300.

As indicated previously, the switch 300 operates the left resilient wrapping block 101. Block 101 generally moves approximately a one inch stroke within the guide 102 as actuated by air cylinder 104 and piston rod 103. As noted above, assembly 140 pivots on pin 152 when the air cylinder 151 moves to cause the ejection.

To summarize, limit switch 300 triggers when the member 141 is sufficiently depressed. This brings in 104. The side arm 102a actuates limit switch 301 causing return of member 101. The limit switch 302 is overhit firing the right wrapping section 204 and air cylinder 126 which moves the seal jaw 121 as well as the tape fee-d cylinder 34 which retracts the hot wire air cylinder arrangement 22.

The general sequence of operations comprises the tape feeding finger 16 moving forward and then stopping. At the same time the carriage has tripped fingers 81 and 82, causing the funnel 50 to move the shank 41 into contact at tip 40a of the tape strip.

The tape feeding finger 16 then rises, the tape carriage returns and then the hot wire 20 is actuated to cut the pieces of tape. At this point the operator presses slightly on the shank 41, causing its solid, protruding end to be engaged by the constantly turning roller 60 and the rubber roller 61.

The shank 41 is thus moved until its single end is seated in the notch on the upper slanted surface of support member 1421. At this point the sequence of folding and sealing takes place, which after conclusion, causes the support member 141 to pivot and thus eject the Wrapped shank into the chute 155.

I claim:

1. A method of wrapping an object with flexible sheet material, comprising: moving a strip of such material to a pre-determined location where said strip is supported, pushing one end of said object and oneend of said strip against one another, joining said object and strip together along one surface of the object so as to form two sides of said strip extending beyond the sides of said object, moving one of said strips extended sides over onto another surface of the object and then moving the other of said strips extended sides over onto said other surface.

2. A method of wrapping an object with flexible sheet material having an adhesive surface comprising: moving a strip of such material to a pre-determined location where said strip is supported pushing one end of said object and one end of said strip together adhesively joining said object and strip together along one surface of the object so as to form two sides of said strip extending beyond the sides of said object, moving one of said strips extended sides over onto another surface of the object and then moving the other of said strips extended sides over onto said other surface.

3. A method of wrapping an object with flexible sheet material having an adhesive surface, comprising: moving a supported strip of pressure-sensitive adhesive to a predetermined location, pushing one end of said object and one end of said strip together, cutting said strip at an intermediate position, joining said object and strip together along one surface of the object so as to form two sides of said strip extending beyond the sides of said object, moving one of said strips extended sides over onto another surface of the object and then moving the other of said strips extended sides over onto said other surface.

4. A method of wrapping an object with flexible sheet material having a; pressure-sensitive adhesive on one surface, comprising: moving a supported strip of such material to a predetermined location, pushing one end of said object and one end on the adhesive surface of said strip together, cutting said strip at an intermediate position, joining said object and cut piece of material together along one surfce of the object by pressing so as to form two sides of said strip extending beyond the sides of said object, moving one of said strips extended sides over onto another surface of the object and then moving the other of said strips extended sides over onto said other surface.

5. A strip feeding and cutting mechanism comprising generally a movable member for supporting such strip in a flat position, an upper pivotable fingersupported on said support member and engageable with said tape, means for moving said support member in one direction, means for raising said engaging member and means for cutting said tape.

6. The mechanism of claim 5 wherein said tape cutting means comprise a moveable heated member.

7. The mechanism of claim 5 wherein said tape cutting means comprise a moveable heated wire.

8. The mechanism of claim 5 wherein the means for moving said members comprise fluid operated power means.

9. Means for moving an object into a work position and holding said object during the performance of the work operations, comprising: power driven feeding means spaced above a moveable support member, said object being movable by said feeding means to said support member wherein the pressure exerted on the support member causes the actuation of the work mechanism.

10. Means for moving an object into a work position and holding said object during the performance of the work operations, comprising: a pair of feed rollers spaced above a moveable support member, said object being received at the top of the rollers and fed through the nollers to the support member wherein the pressure exerted on the support member causes the actuation of the work mechanism.

11. Means for folding over two sides of a piece of flexible sheet material having an adhesive surface attached to an object, and extending beyond the sides of said object, comprising: two sequentially moveable resilient members, and means for moving said resilient members against another surface of said object.

12. Means for folding over two sides of a piece of flexible sheet material having an adhesive surface attached to an object, and extending beyond the sides of said object, comprising: two sequentially moveable resilient members, a pressure member moveable against said second resilient member, and means for moving said resilient members and pressure member against another surface of said object.

13 A machine for applying strips of flexible sheet material, comprising: a strip of such material held substantially flat on a moveable bed member, a stripengaging upper finger mounted on said bed member, means for moving said bed member to a pre-determined location, means for joining one end of an object with one end of said strip, means for cutting said strip to a predetermined length, means for joining said cut strip to a surface of said object, means for moving said object against a moveable support member, means responsive to motion of said support member for folding over the edges of said cut strip onto said object and means for ejecting said object.

14. A shoe shank taping machine comprising: a strip of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape held substantially flat with its adhesive side up on a moveable bed member, a moveable tape-engageable upper finger mounted on said bed member, means for moving said bed member to a pre-determined location, means for moving one end of a shoe shank into contact with the end of said adhesive strip, means for cutting said strip to a pre-determined length, means for pressing said out strip against said shank means for moving said shank against a moveable shank support member, means responsive to motion of said shank support member for folding over said edges of said tape onto said shank and means for ejecting said shank.

15. A method of wrapping an object with flexible sheet material, comprising: moving a strip of such material to a pre-determined location where said strip is supported, pushing one end of said object and one end of said strip against one another, joining said object and strip together along one surface of the object so as to form two sides of said strip extending beyond the sides of said object, moving one of said strips extended sides over onto another surface of the object and then moving the other of said strips extended sides over onto said other surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,245,636 6/1941 Adams 12-595 2,518,189 8/1950 Sadler 1240.5 2,683,273 7/1954 Hayner 12--40.5 3,058,130 10/1962 Latarski 12-50 3,102,287 9/1963 Sjoberg l259.5

PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner. 

1. A METHOD OF WRAPPING AN OBJECT WITH FLEXIBLE SHEET MATERIAL, COMPRISING: MOVING A STRIP OF SUCH MATERIAL TO A PRE-DETERMINED LOCATION WHERE SAID STRIP IS SUPPORTED, PUSHING ONE END OF SAID OBJECT AND ONE END OF SAID STRIP AGAINST ONE ANOTHER, JOINING SAID OBJECT AND STRIP TOGETHER ALONG ONE SURFACE OF THE OBJECT SO AS TO FORM TWO SIDES OF 